System and method for detecting wireless communications activity within a predetermined area and for generating messages to selected communication devices

ABSTRACT

A system and method is disclosed for detecting the presence and level of wireless communications activity within a predetermined area, without disclosing the identity of the wireless users, and for generating a message to certain information and communications devices in response to the detection of a predetermined level of wireless communications activity within the predetermined area. The information detected also may include information relating to the general direction and rate of movement of detected wireless devices. The message generated in response to the detection of wireless communications activity may include wireless messages, including Short Message Service (SMS) messages, to persons desiring or needing to receive such information; messages to public officials and other interested persons; and automatic signals to devices such as computers, computer networks (including the internet and wireless networks), facsimile machines, signs, lights, loudspeakers, and other devices providing information through other communication and information media.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of enabling observers todetect and analyze the level of wireless communications activity withina predetermined area without disclosing to those observers the identityof individual wireless users, and generating messages from the observersto specific communication devices when the wireless communicationsactivity detected within the predetermined area meets predeterminedconditions.

2. Description of the Related Art

Carrying mobile wireless communications devices has become customary bya substantial proportion of persons in society. Generally, thesewireless devices are turned on and in communication with the wirelessservice provider or wireless network (are active) so that their userscan send and receive wireless communications. These mobile wirelesscommunications devices are commonly carried by individuals whiletravelling in automobiles, shopping, or conducting other dailyactivities. Additionally, the development of technologies such as WIFIwireless computer networks has resulted in the increased availability ofwireless computer networks enabling people to use their mobile wirelesscommunications devices in many more places such as airports, hotels, anddining establishments.

The present state of the art in wireless communications enables wirelessservice providers and wireless networks to identify all active wirelessdevices in communication either through a wireless service provider witha cellular wireless system or through a wireless network. In the case ofcellular wireless communications, the identifying information typicallyavailable to the cellular wireless service provider regarding eachcellular wireless device includes the identity of the subscriber, thewireless address of the subscriber, the identity of the subscriber'shome cellular wireless service provider, and related informationregarding the services available to the subscriber. This information isobtained by periodic communications between the active cellular wirelessdevice and the cellular wireless system providing service within thecell, and, in the case of a roaming subscriber, further communicationbetween the cellular wireless service provider providing service withinthe cell and the home cellular service provider for the specific device.

Wireless devices generally may be located by methods of radio directionfinding, or, in the case of cellular wireless communications,triangulation among the cellular wireless system cells with which thecellular wireless device is in communication. Additionally, the presentstate of the art enables cellular wireless service providers todetermine the identity and location of certain specific cellularwireless devices by reference to GPS devices incorporated into thosecellular wireless devices.

By detecting the presence of active wireless devices in a predeterminedarea it is therefore possible to approximate the number of personslocated in that area, as well as their movement. This information, whichis of both commercial and non-commercial value, is useful for decidingwhether to generate messages to the detected group of persons or toother persons or groups of persons. For example, if a substantial numberof wireless users are located in vehicles on a highway, then thatinformation could enable the Department of Transportation to operatesigns along the highway in the congested area providing alternativerouting related to traffic congestion.

There also may be circumstances under which it is desirable to providethis information to wireless users within other areas. Thus, evaluatingthe population and movement in one predetermined area, it may bedesirable to generate messages to persons in other areas. For example,motorists can also be advised directly by wireless messages of trafficcongestion and potential delays in areas of interest before reachingthose areas.

Additionally, based on detection of a threshold level of wirelesscommunications activity in a predetermined area, commercial entities maywish to communicate through the cellular wireless network providingservice in that area or through a local wireless network to sendwireless messages, such as SMS messages, to those wireless devicesconfigured for receipt of such messages and authorizing such messages,regarding nearby businesses or facilities and their products orservices.

Generally, privacy concerns exist regarding any dissemination ofinformation disclosing the identity of wireless device users incommunication with a cellular wireless service provider or localwireless network. In the case of cellular wireless communications,because of concerns for the privacy of cellular wireless subscribers,information obtained using the state of the art systems and methodsregarding the identity and location of individual cellular wirelessdevices is not disclosed to the public, despite its value. Instead thisinformation is only available to the cellular wireless service providersfor their operational purposes and to certain persons, typicallygovernmental entities, otherwise having lawful access to suchinformation, and to specified third persons with the consent of thesubscriber. Therefore, a previously unsatisfied need exists in thewireless communications field to obtain and make available anonymousreal-time information regarding the level of wireless communicationsactivity within a predetermined area. This information can be used bythird parties for both its commercial and non-commercial value; that is,to enable interested observers to detect the level of wirelesscommunications activity within a predetermined area, without disclosingthe identity of individual wireless users. This information could beused to generate messages to wireless subscribers and others having aneed or indicating a desire to receive information such as public safetyand traffic information, or information relating to events, facilitiesor services in that particular area.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Generally, the present invention includes a system and method ofdetecting and analyzing the level of wireless communications activitywithin a predetermined area, without identifying the specific wirelessdevices. The present invention is applicable to all cellular andwireless communications activity regardless of the specific applicablewireless technology, including but not limited to CDMA, TDMA, GSM, GPRS,and other wireless communications technologies. These wirelesstechnologies include digital and analog cellular wireless communicationsin the 800-900 MHz range, PCS cellular communications in the 1.8-2.0 GHzrange, and any other digital or analog wireless communications for useon any other frequency that is currently or may in the future beallocated to wireless communications activity, including, for example,Mobitex, MMDS or WIFI frequencies. The present invention generates anoutput control signal based upon a comparison of the detected wirelesscommunications activity to a predetermined threshold or predeterminedconditions.

Embodiments of the present invention generate an output control signalthat may control and direct a cellular wireless telecommunicationssystem to generate and broadcast cellular wireless messages, includingshort message service (SMS) messages, to selected consenting cellularwireless subscribers, or the output control signal may control otherinformation devices to generate messages through other media, such as,but not limited to, computer networks (including the internet orwireless local area networks), facsimile, telephone, visual signaldevices, and audible signal devices. Embodiments of the presentinvention also provide a firewall to allow the messages to be directedto wireless receivers without disclosing the identity or the preciselocation of the individual detected wireless users or of messagerecipients within the predetermined area, either to the persongenerating the message or the person receiving the message, therebyassuring confidentiality, security and privacy for individual wirelessusers.

Additionally, the state of the art in cellular wirelesstelecommunications technology permits querying the cellular wirelessdevices within a predetermined wireless cell or cells. The query maydetermine whether those queried cellular wireless devices are configuredto receive certain types of messages, e.g., SMS and other forms ofdigital messages, and whether their users are desirous of receiving suchmessages. By combining this state of the art technology with theapparatus and process for identifying the level of wirelesscommunications activity and the approximate number of persons within apredetermined area, messages may be generated to those properlyconfigured cellular wireless devices whose users desire to receive thatinformation.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and a method forproviding the desired information by receiving and analyzing radiofrequency transmissions from wireless devices within a predeterminedarea without demodulating the wireless signals and identifying theparticular wireless devices. Instead, these embodiments of the presentinvention process the foregoing information to determine the level andcharacteristics of the detected, but anonymous, wireless communicationsactivity within a predetermined area. In this manner, the anonymity andprivacy of wireless device users within the predetermined area ispreserved. The detected level and characteristics of the receivedwireless signals are analyzed and compared with predetermined thresholdconditions relating to the detected wireless communications activitythat have been established by an interested observer, such as a businessor public entity. The resultant comparison causes the system to generatean output control signal when the threshold conditions are satisfied.The output control signal then causes a related communication device toprovide appropriate messages to interested persons.

In the event that the interested observer, such as a business or apublic entity, wishes to transmit cellular wireless messages tointerested persons within one or more predetermined cells, the outputcontrol signal either generates or releases a message to be transmittedto cellular wireless devices within predetermined cells or sectors. Thisis done by communicating with a computer that either generates or storesthe messages which are then communicated to the cellular wirelesssystem(s) providing service for the desired cells or sectors. A furthercomputer associated with each cellular wireless service providerreceives these messages and the Home Location Registry (HLR) for eachcellular wireless provider can then determine which cellular wirelessdevices and users are located in the desired cells or sectors, and meetcertain selected criteria, such as the capability of the identifieddevice to receive certain types of cellular wireless messages, and whichusers may choose to receive the information. Indeed, under certaincircumstances, public officials in emergency situations wish to generatemessages to all cellular wireless device users within the relevant cellsor sectors. Authorized messages can then be sent to those cellularwireless devices that meet the selected criteria. These authorizedmessages are transmitted by the wireless service provider withoutdisclosing the identity of the message recipients to the sender, orenabling unauthorized communications by the senders directly to thosecellular wireless device users, thereby preserving confidentiality,security and privacy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2A is a block diagram of a first exemplary embodiment of thereceiver and signal processor of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 2B is a block diagram of a second exemplary embodiment of thereceiver and signal processor of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an interface between the computer of FIG. 1and a cellular wireless communications system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described in detail by reference tothe various exemplary embodiments as disclosed in the drawings. Inreferring to the drawings, the numbered components described in theDetailed Description of the Invention refer to like numbered componentsdepicted in the drawings.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of the system 100includes a radio frequency (RF) receiver and signal processor 101 andantenna system 102. A computer 103 also may be included; however, inalternative embodiments as will be explained by reference to FIGS. 2Aand 2B, the RF Receiver and signal processor 101 may provide the desiredcontrol signal output without further processing by a computer 103. TheRF receiver and signal processor 101 is capable of scanning wirelesscommunications frequencies to detect and process wireless signals fromwireless communications devices 104 a, . . . 104 z. Processing thesesignals does not require demodulation of communications, but merelydetection of uplink signals generated by the wireless devices, 104 a . .. 104 z.

The antenna system 102 is placed at a location based upon the area inwhich wireless communications activity is to be detected. For example,if a larger area is to be detected, the antenna system 102 may be placedon the top of a tall building or structure. If a smaller area is to bedetected, the antenna system 102 may be placed closer to the ground oreven within a structure or room. If only cellular wireless devices 104a, . . . 104 z in a particular direction are to be detected, then ahighly directional antenna system 102 may be used. If wireless devices104 a . . . 104 z in more than one direction are to be detected, then amultidirectional or omnidirectional antenna system 102 may be used.

The RF receiver and signal processor 101 may be capable of detecting andprocessing wireless device signals transmitted on one frequency or onmultiple frequencies. The RF receiver and signal processor 101 may becapable of detecting cellular or other wireless communicationsregardless of the specific applicable wireless technology, including butnot limited to CDMA, TDMA, GSM, GPRS and other wireless communicationstechnologies, and on any frequency that currently or in the future maybe allocated to wireless communications, including by way of exampleMobitex, MMDS or WIFI frequencies. In the present embodiment, forexample, cellular voice messages are typically transmitted at 837 MHz.PCS message signals are typically transmitted at 1880 MHz. Personswithin the predetermined area of reception may have either device andtherefore the RF receiver and processor 101 may be capable of detectingwireless devices 104 a . . . 104 z at either frequency and generatingone or more control signal outputs based upon detection and evaluationof transmissions on both frequencies.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, if signals from devices on twofrequencies are to be detected and evaluated, these signals then may becombined in the RF receiver and signal processor 101 to produce onecombined signal that corresponds to the measurement and evaluation ofthe communications activity from all of the wireless devices from whichtransmissions are detected on either frequency within the predeterminedreception area. A typical RF receiver and signal processor 101 adaptedto process signals at two different frequencies, for example, cellularvoice communications and PCS communications, may include an RF amplifier201 and one or more highly selective cellular/PCS band filters 202 fromwhich the signals are routed to a first mixer 203 and a first localfrequency synthesizer 204 that introduces a frequency that is one-halfthe difference between the PCS mid-band frequency and the cellular voicemid-band frequency. With the PCS mid-band frequency of 1880 MHz and thecellular voice mid-band frequency of 837 MHz, the difference between thetwo signals is 1123 MHz. Half of that difference is 521.5 MHz, which isthe frequency selected for the first local frequency synthesizer 204 tobe combined with the PCS and cellular RF signals at the first mixer 203.When that generated signal of 521.5 MHz is mixed by the first mixer 203with the PCS mid-band frequency of 1880 MHz, the result is a signal atthe frequency of 1358.5 MHz. When mixed by the first mixer 203 with thecellular mid-band frequency of 837 MHz, a signal is also produced at thesame frequency of 1358.5 MHz. The output from the first mixer 203therefore is a composite RF output centered at 1358.5 MHz that containsthe sum of all communications activity from all of the cellular wirelessdevices 104 a, . . . 104 z on both frequency ranges detected in thepredetermined area.

It will be understood that if only one frequency is to be detected, theforegoing circuit may be provided without a first mixer 203 and firstfrequency synthesizer 204. It also will be understood by those skilledin the art that similar signal processing circuits combining signals onother pairs of detected frequencies may be provided using this method ofdividing the difference between the frequencies by two and combiningthat quotient with each of the detected frequencies to provide acomposite RF output common frequency. Additionally, if the RF receiverand signal processor 101 is to process signals on more than twofrequencies, it may include one or more additional circuits as shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B, either in parallel or in series, for combining thesignals at different frequencies to produce additional or furthercombined signals, or it may include multiple RF receivers and signalprocessors such as those shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, each receiving andprocessing signals on additional frequencies or combinations offrequencies. The decision to use separate receivers, rather than merelyproviding additional signal processing circuits, may depend on theproximity of the frequencies to be received and processed within the RFreceiver and signal processor 101, antenna capabilities andcharacteristics, or the type of communications, for example, voice ordata.

The processed RF output, in the case of FIGS. 2A and 2B, the compositeRF output generated from the first mixer 203, may then be introducedinto a second composite cellular/PCS signal filter 205 that passes onlythe wide band composite signals centered at 1358.5 MHz. From the secondcomposite cellular/PCS signal filter 205, the composite RF output maythen be fed to a second mixer 206. The second mixer 206 mixes thecomposite RF output signal with the output from a second local sweptfrequency synthesizer 207 having a frequency close to that of thecombined frequency, such as 1313.5 MHz, to produce a substantially lowerintermediate frequency (IF frequency), such as 45 MHz, which IFfrequency is chosen to provide maximum image rejection andcost-effective processor construction. The composite RF output signal isswept over the entire bandwidth range to determine the number ofcomponent signals. The second mixer 206 therefore produces a compositeRF output having a signal reflecting the combined communicationsactivity from all of the detected wireless devices.

Continuing to refer to both FIGS. 2A and 2B, regardless of whether theRF receiver has detected wireless signals on only one frequency or onmultiple frequencies and has produced only one processed RF outputsignal or has produced one or more composite signals, an intermediatefrequency (IF) filter stage 208 may then be provided. The IF filterstage 208 may include one or more bandwidth filters 209 a, 209 b and 209c. For example, bandwidth filters 209 a, 209 b and 209 c, may be wide(1.2 MHz), medium (200 KHz) and narrow (30 KHz) bandwidth filters,respectively, each corresponding respectively to the bandwidths of CDMAsignals (1.2 MHz), GSM signals (200 KHz) and TDMA signals (30 KHz). Itwill be understood by those skilled in the art that the intermediatefrequency (IF) filter stage also may include one or more automatic gaincontrols (AGC) that measure the strength of each IF stage signal, andone or more selectivity controls to narrow each IF stage signal.

The RF output(s) from the RF amplifier 201, the output(s) from themixer(s) 203 or 206, (or, if present the output from the individualfilters 209 a, 209 b and 209 c, then may be passed to a summing circuit210, or these outputs may be used directly for purposes of the desiredcomparison with a threshold signal to determine if an output controlsignal is to be generated.

Referring now to the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 2A, thiscomparison may occur in the RF receiver and signal processor 101 bycomparing the characteristics of the subject analog signal, such assignal strength, through a squelch circuit 214, with a predeterminedthreshold to generate an output control signal if the threshold is met.The analog signals from any of the foregoing sources may be passed tothe squelch circuit 215 which determines if the signal strength meets apredetermined threshold. If so, the signal may be passed to a switch 215which, upon detection of the signal from the squelch circuit 214,generates a control output signal either directly to the desiredinformation devices or to a computer 103 for further processing andgeneration of appropriate control signals to digital communicationdevices or networks.

Referring now to the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 2B, theoutput from either the filters 209 a, 209 b, 209 c, or the output fromthe summing circuit 210 is passed to an analog to digital converter 211that assigns digital values to the outputs from the summing circuit 210or the outputs from each of the bandwidth filters 209 a, 209 b, and 290c. The analog signals reflect signal strength, the number of signalsdetected and time detected so that the assigned digital values may bebased upon any combination of these measured real-time signalparameters. Thus, the assigned digital value may include informationsuch as the observed real-time number or strength of detected signals.The analog to digital converter 211 then generates a first digitalsignal or a first set of digital signals corresponding to the assignedvalues. The first digital signals therefore correspond to a measurementand analysis of predetermined signal parameters associated with the realtime wireless communications activity detected within the predeterminedarea.

Continuing to refer to the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 2B, aDoppler Shift detector 212 also may be desired in order to enable themeasurement of doppler shift associated with the signals from theintermediate frequency band width filters 209 a, 209 b and 209 c or theintermediate frequency summing circuit 210. A Doppler shift detector 212is set to the frequency of the second local swept-frequency synthesizer207 and measures the frequency difference between the synthesizer andthe IF stage output from the intermediate frequency band width filters209 a, 209 b and 209 c or the summing circuit 210 with a peak-tracker.The resultant Doppler frequency shift value will indicate whether thedetected cellular wireless devices 104 a, . . . 104 z are primarilymoving toward or away from the antenna system 102, or are movingrapidly, slowly or not at all, relative to the antenna system 102. Forexample, a positive frequency shift value indicates movement toward theantenna 102, and a negative frequency shift value indicates movementaway from the antenna 102. Additionally, a zero or low frequency shiftvalue indicates little or no movement relative to the antenna 102, and ahigh frequency shift value indicates a rapid rate of movement relativeto the antenna 102. The output from the Doppler shift detector 212 alsomay be passed to an analog to digital converter 213 which assigns anappropriate digital value to the output that reflects the detectedDoppler shift and generates a second digital signal to the computer 103.

Upon detecting the presence, level, and, possibly, movement, of signalsfrom active wireless devices within a predetermined reception area, theillustrated embodiments shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B then may pass theoutput signals derived from the communications activity from all of thedetected wireless devices 104 a, . . . 104 z to a digital comparator. Inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 2B, the comparator may properly be aproperly programmed computer 103 that compares the output signalsproduced by the RF receiver and signal processor 101, againstpredetermined threshold values or conditions, and then generates one ormore output control signals to control other information devices. Itwill be understood, however, by those skilled in the art that thedigital comparator may be any digital circuit, either within theprocessor 101 or separate from the processor 101, that generates acontrol output signal based on a comparison of the digital valuesassigned to the signals received and processed within the processor 101to a predetermined digital value or condition.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A and 2B, the computer 103 maybe a personal computer programmed to analyze the output from the RFreceiver and processor 101. The computer 103 may further be programmedto measure the data over time and may produce a graphical output of thesum of all selected measured or calculated criteria for all activity inall of the bands. For example, a commercial observer may decide that acertain number of potential customers may need to be detected during apredetermined period of time or time of day before initiating aparticular message. The commercial observer or observers each may haveaccess to the computer 103 in which to set certain threshold levels andparameters, such as level of wireless communications device activity(approximating a certain number of persons), location, time of day, anddirection and rate of movement, before generating a message. It will beunderstood by those skilled in the art that the RF receiver and signalprocessor 101 and the computer 103 may be collocated or the computer 103may be in remote communication with the RF receiver and signal processor101. Additionally, one or more RF receiver and signal processor unitsmay be providing input to one or more computers for generating one ormore output control signals.

The output signal signals from either the switch 215 or the combinationof digital signals from each analog to digital converter 211 and 213received by the computer 103 in real time will provide a multiplicity ofvalues that may be further analyzed and processed by the computer 103.As set forth above, the output from the switch 215 will reflect thepresence of communications activity in excess of the threshold levelestablished by the squelch circuit 214. The digital signal valuesprovided by the analog to digital converters 211 and 213 may reflectdetected signal parameters, such as the number of signals, signalstrength and duration, as well as signal Doppler shift. These signalsmay be collected by the computer 103 continuously to provide a record ofwireless communications activity in the area throughout the day, week,month, year or other period of time, or they may only be collected atpredetermined times of the day or at predetermined intervals of time.The collected data then may be analyzed by the programmed computer 103to identify or calculate certain conditions, such as whether themeasured real-time communications activity at any time is greater than athreshold level of activity, e.g., average daily or other periodiccommunications activity in the predetermined area, or whether theaggregate, average or other analyzed characteristic of the detectedcommunications activity is greater than a threshold, e.g., average dailyor periodic communications activity, or any other analyzed or desiredcondition associated with the detected or analyzed communicationsactivity. The computer 103 also can calculate the change and rate ofchange in communications activity in the predetermined area based uponthis information. It also may analyze all of that information incombination with the information relating to the direction of travel ofthe communications devices relative to the antenna(s). This data thenmay be entered into bins on a spreadsheet such as an Excel® spreadsheet,to provide desired reports, or, as described below may be used togenerate one or more output control signals.

The measured or analyzed data may provide information regardingpopulation and activities within the predetermined area. For example,detection of a large number of wireless devices 104 a, . . . 104 zwithin the predetermined reception area. e.g, along an interstatehighway, may indicate a high volume of traffic on the highway.Contemporaneous detection of a rapid rate of movement of the wirelessdevices also may indicate that the traffic is travelling at normalhighway speeds. Conversely, a high volume of vehicular traffic and a lowrate of movement of the wireless devices, may indicate trafficcongestion along the highway.

The computer 103 may be programmed to provide different output controlsignals in response to a multiplicity of detected or analyzedconditions. The output control signals generated in response to thosemeasured or analyzed conditions may also vary such that discrete outputcontrol signals may cause varying messages to be generated based uponvarying levels and characteristics of detected telecommunicationsactivity. For example, if the digital value is 20% greater than theselected threshold, a first message may be generated; if the digitalvalue is 50% greater than the selected threshold, then a second messagemay be generated; and so forth.

In alternative embodiments, the devices for providing information inresponse to detected wireless communication activity may be limitless.Referring still to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, observersmay want to transmit output control signals to information devices suchas electric signs 105, lights 106, loudspeakers 107, facsimile machines108, computer networks (including the internet and wireless networks)110, and other cellular wireless devices (including Short MessagesService (SMS) devices) 104 a, . . . 104 z. In those cases in which theinformation devices are more traditional, such as electric signs 105,lights 106, loudspeakers 107, and even facsimile machines 108 andcomputer networks and wireless networks 110, the programmed computer 103is capable of directly initiating and controlling the communication tothose devices and of providing and controlling the messages to be sentby those devices using technology well known to those skilled in theart.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3 together, in the alternative embodimentproviding an output control signal to generate a message to cellularwireless devices 104 a, . . . 104 z, the output control signal fromcomputer 103 may initiate communication through a modem 109 with thecellular wireless communication system 300 to direct it to identifycellular wireless devices 104 a, . . . 104 z within a predetermined cellor sector and to query those devices and or the home cellular wirelessservice provider for those devices, to determine whether those devicesare configured to receive the appropriate form of message and haveauthorized receipt of the intended message. It will be understood thatin other exemplary embodiments, it is not necessary that the set ofwireless devices detected, be the same set of cellular wireless devicesto which communications are to be directed by the computer 103 andwireless communication system 300, but may be any set of desiredwireless devices within any desired cellular wireless communicationscell or cells, or even within specific sectors within one or more cells,or within any geographic area covered by a wireless communicationsnetwork.

The function of querying those cellular wireless devices 104 a, . . .104 z may be undertaken by the cellular wireless communications system300 through use of an associated computer 301 that is in communicationwith the computer 103 or other similar RF receiver andprocessor/computer systems associated with other predetermined areas.When a signal is received by the computer 301 from the computer 103associated with one of the RF receivers and processors, directing thatmessages be sent to cellular wireless devices within a particulargeographical area, the computer 301 determines from that signal whichwireless cells or sectors are to be queried for providing possiblewireless messages. Upon identification of the relevant wireless cells orsectors, the computer 301 then queries the Home Location Register 302 toidentify those cellular wireless devices 104 a, . . . 104 z whose lastknown address was in the selected cells or sectors. The query from thecomputer 301 also may determine whether the cellular wireless device isconfigured to receive such messages and whether the subscriber hasconsented or chosen to enable the wireless device to receive messages ofthe type to be generated, e.g., public service, traffic, or commercialmessages. If so, then the desired message as directed by the computer103 based upon the observers input, is transmitted to the SMS platform303 and then to the central wireless services switch 304 fortransmission by the intended cellular wireless transmitters and antennasystems 111 to those cellular wireless devices 104 a . . . 104 zconfigured to receive the message and for which receipt of such methodshas been authorized by the wireless device subscriber.

It will be understood that the content of the messages to be provided inresponse to the output control signal may be predetermined or preparedcontemporaneously with or even after receipt of the output controlsignals. The messages may be originated or stored in the computer 103,or in some other recording or storage device, such a computer terminal,as a part of a computer system in communication with the computer 103 orthe cellular communications system 300. The messages also may beoriginated or stored in the information devices 105, 106, 107, 108 or110. Each of these messages then may be broadcast or transmitted by theinformation devices in response to the output control signal indicatingthat the threshold level of activity and other conditions have beensatisfied by the detection and analysis of wireless communicationsactivity within the predetermined area.

In the case of transmitting cellular wireless messages, the message maybe in the form of a prerecorded voice message, but, preferably, it willbe in the form a short prerecorded text (SMS) message. The content ofthese messages may be prerecorded by the observer and stored on thecomputer 103. In response to the output signal resulting from thecomparison of the detected cellular wireless telecommunications activityto the predetermined threshold or other conditions, the computer 103communicates through a modem 109 to the central wireless communicationsswitching system 300 to initiate transmission of the prerecordedmessages to those cellular wireless devices 104 a . . . 104 z, which areconfigured to receive such messages and to which such messages areauthorized by the wireless device subscriber. The message also mayinclude a telephone number, wireless address or a reply function toenable the subscriber to selectively initiate communications directlywith the originator to obtain or transmit additional information betweenthe wireless subscriber and the message originator.

The communications between the computer 103, associated with theobserver, and the computer 301, associated with the cellular wirelessservice 300, do not include any transmission of any informationidentifying the specific wireless devices detected or identifying thespecific cellular wireless devices to which information has beentransmitted. As such, these two separate computers 103 and 301, onecontrolled by the observer and the other by the cellular wirelessservice provider, act as a firewall to prevent the unintended orunauthorized disclosure of information regarding the identity andlocation of cellular wireless device subscribers in the predeterminedarea, or the identity and location of cellular wireless devices in thearea to which messages have been transmitted by the wirelesscommunications system.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the foregoingalternative embodiments are merely exemplary and that other embodimentsincluding also other equivalents, variations and modifications of theseembodiments, fall within the scope of the present invention.Accordingly, all such equivalents, variations and modifications areintended to be included within the scope of the present inventions andto be protected by the following claims.

1. A system, for providing an output control signal responsive todetection of wireless transmissions between wireless communicationsdevices within a predetermined area and at least one wirelesscommunications network, comprising: a radio frequency receiver andantenna system configured to: detect at least one wirelesscommunications frequency; and detect in aggregate a plurality ofwireless signals from a plurality of wireless communications devices ina predetermined area; and at least one computing device configured to:obtain a threshold condition; determine (i) a location of each of thewireless communication devices in the predetermined area, (ii) adirection of travel of each of the wireless communication devices in thepredetermined area, and (iii) a rate of travel of each of the wirelesscommunication devices in the predetermined area; compare the (i)locations, (ii) directions of travel, and (iii) rates of travel to thethreshold condition in a comparison; and generate the output controlsignal responsive to the comparison.
 2. The system of claim 1, whereinthe at least one computing device is further configured to: responsiveto the output control signal, communicate the output control signal tothe wireless communications network for transmission to at least one ofthe wireless communication devices; and responsive to the output controlsignal, transmit a message to at least one of the wirelesscommunications device in communication with the wireless communicationsnetwork, the message conveying information to a user of the wirelesscommunication device.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the wirelesscommunications network is a cellular wireless communications network andthe computing device is further configured to: determine an identity ofcellular wireless communications devices last known to be located withinat least one predetermined cellular wireless communications cell, todefine at least one identified cellular wireless communications device;and transmit the message to the at least one identified cellularwireless communications device in communication with the cellularwireless communications network within the predetermined cellularwireless communications cell.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein: thecomputing device is further configured to: determine whether at leastone of the identified cellular wireless communications device is:configured to receive messages of a certain format; and associated witha device-specific authorization to receive messages of a certain type;and in transmitting the message, tansmit the message to the at least oneidentified wireless device only if the device is determined to: beconfigured to receive messages of the certain format; and haveassociated with it the authorization to receive messages of the certaintype.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein messages of the certain type aremessages being from an entity selected from a group of entitiesconsisting of: a traffic authority; a public service entity; and acommercial entity.
 6. A process for providing an output control signalresponsive to detection of wireless transmissions between wirelesscommunications devices and wireless communication networks within apredetermined area, the process comprising: detecting in aggregate aplurality of radio frequency signals transmitted from a plurality ofwireless communications devices in a predetermined area; obtaining athreshold condition; determining (i) a location of each of the wirelesscommunication devices in the predetermined area, (ii) a direction oftravel of each of the wireless communication devices in thepredetermined area, and (iii) a rate of travel of each of the wirelesscommunication devices in the predetermined area; comparing the (i)locations, (ii) directions of travel, and (iii) rates of travel to thethreshold condition in a comparison; and generating an output controlsignal responsive to the comparison.
 7. The process of claim 6, furthercomprising: identifying at least one wireless communications device incommunication with at least one wireless system, to define at least oneidentified cellular wireless communications device; and transmitting amessage to the at least one identified wireless communications device inresponse to the output control signal, the message conveying informationto a user of the wireless communication device.
 8. The process of claim7, wherein: identifying at least one wireless communications deviceincludes identifying at least one cellular wireless communicationsdevice in a predetermined cell; and transmitting the message includestransmitting the message to the at least one identified cellularwireless device in response to the output control signal.
 9. The processof claim 8, wherein identifying at least one cellular wirelesscommunications device in a predetermined cell includes: determiningwhether the identified cellular wireless communications device is:configured to receive messages of a certain format; and associated witha device-specific authorization to receive messages of a certain type;and transmitting the message to the identified cellular wirelesscommunications device only if it is determined that the identifiedcellular wireless communications device is: configured to receivemessages of the certain format; and associated with the authorization toreceive messages of the certain type.
 10. The process of claim 9,wherein messages of the certain type are messages being from an entityselected from a group of entities consisting of: a traffic authority; apublic service entity; and a commercial entity.
 11. A system forproviding an output control signal responsive to detection of wirelesstransmissions between wireless communications devices within apredetermined area and at least one cellular wireless communicationsnetwork, the system comprising: a radio frequency receiver and antennasystem configured to: detect at least one wireless communicationsfrequency; and detect in aggregate a plurality of wireless transmissionsfrom a plurality of wireless communications devices in a predeterminedarea; and at least one computing device configured to: obtain athreshold; perform a comparison with respect to the threshold; generatean output control signal responsive to the comparison; determine anidentity of at least one cellular wireless communications device lastknown to be located within at least one predetermined cellular wirelesscommunications cell, to define at least one identified cellular wirelesscommunications device; determine whether the at least one identifiedcellular wireless communications device is: configured to receivemessages of a certain format; and associated with a device-specificauthorization to receive messages of a certain type; and responsive tothe output control signal, and only if the at least one identifiedcellular wireless communications device is configured to receivemessages of the certain format, and is associated with the authorizationto receive messages of the certain type, transmit a message to the atleast one identified cellular wireless communications device incommunication with the cellular wireless communications network withinthe predetermined cellular wireless communications cell, the messageconveying information to a user of the identified wireless communicationdevice.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein: the radio frequencyreceiver and antenna system is configured to: receive at least twowireless communications frequencies; and detect at least one wirelesssignal transmitted on each of the frequencies from at least two wirelesscommunications devices in a predetermined area; and the processorfurther includes a mixer circuit configured to convert each wirelesssignal to a common composite frequency to produce a first commoncomposite frequency signal to be used to generate the first analogelectrical signal.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the signalprocessor further includes a summing circuit to combine the first commoncomposite frequency signals to produce a first analog electrical signal.14. The system of claim 11, wherein: the signal processor furtherincludes a doppler shift detector for determining a direction and a oftravel of at least one wireless device within the predetermined arearelative to the radio frequency receiver and antenna system; and thefirst analog electrical signal is further responsive to the directionand rate of travel of the at least one wireless device.
 15. The systemof claim 11 wherein the at least one computing device includes a squelchcircuit for obtaining the threshold and generating the output controlsignal responsive to the comparison.
 16. The system of claim 11,wherein: the computing device includes: a signal processor forgenerating a first analog electrical signal resulting from the aggregatereception and detection of said wireless transmissions; and ananalog-to-digital converter to convert the first analog electricalsignal to a first digital electrical signal; the computing device, inbeing configured to obtain the threshold, is configured to establish athreshold digital electrical signal; and the computing device is furtherconfigured to: in the comparison, compare the first digital electricalsignal to the threshold digital electrical signal; and generate anoutput control signal responsive to the comparison of the first digitalelectrical signal with the threshold digital electrical signal.
 17. Thesystem of claim 11, wherein messages of the certain format are shortmessages service messages.
 18. The system of claim 11, wherein messagesof the certain format are voice-format messages.
 19. The system of claim11, wherein messages of the certain type are messages being from anentity selected from a group of entities consisting of: a trafficauthority; a public service entity; and a commercial entity.